System for method for producing synthetic plural word messages

ABSTRACT

A linguistic coding system and keyboard therefor for the use of people unable to use their own voices is described. The coding system and associated keyboard are based on the sentence rather than the word, phoneme or letter. The keyboard is coupled to a computer which stores a plurality of plural word messages or sentences in the memory thereof for selective retrieval by the keyboard. The sentences retrieved from the keyboard are fed to a voice synthesizer which converts them through a loud speaker to audible spoken messages The keyboard utilizes polysemic symbols on the respective keys and by designating a selected one of the keys and its associated polysemic symbols a primary message theme key, selected recorded plural messages in the computer memory may be retrieved by actuating a combination of the designated primary message theme key and other keys to vary the context of the polysemic symbols. Thus a plurality of sentences associated with a central theme may be selectively generated as a function of each polysemic symbol in combination with other symbols which modify the theme of the message or sentence.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/374,869,filed on Jul. 3, 1989, now abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No.07/325,044, filed Mar. 16, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuationof Ser. No. 003,464, filed on Jan. 15, 1987, now abandoned, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 815,196, filed on Dec. 27, 1985, now U.S. Pat.No. 4,661,916, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 659,878, filed Oct.15, 1984, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 340,287,filed Jan. 18, 1982, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a linguistic coding system and keyboardtherefor for use by people unable to use their own voices to createeither synthetic speech or synthetic printed messages. Morespecifically, the present invention is related to a synthetic speech orprinting device based on the sentence or message rather than the word,phoneme or letter.

Heretofore synthetic speech or typing devices have coding systems basedon words, phonemes or letters which are implemented with keyboards withindicia thereon related to the word, phoneme or letter. These systemsare very complicated to use because they require an extraordinarilylarge number of symbols or indicia in order to have the capability togenerate entire sentences or plural sentence messages. Thisextraordinarily large number of keys and symbols makes it difficult tomemorize the necessary relationships to generate a sentence and inaddition requires an extremely large number of key actuations for agiven sentence or message. Thus, not only is it difficult to teach anoperator how to use one of these prior devices it takes entirely toolong to generate sentences or other plural word messages making theseprior art machines unsatisfactory for general use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide asynthetic speech device which may go directly from thought to speechwithout the need to record word, phoneme and letter data as individualentities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a syntheticspeech or typing device which stores and retrieves whole sentences orplural word messages for selective retrieval other than individualwords, phonemes or letters.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide asynthetic speech or printing device with an improved keyboard whichminimizes the maximum number of necessary key actuations to generate asentence or a plural word message.

It is still another object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols on the individual keys of the keyboard of the device of thepresent invention which may correspond to pictorial illustrations ofreal life objects.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols on the keys of the keyboard because such symbols are more easilymemorized than alpha numeric characters.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acoding system, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable toindividual design by the operator to further enhance the memory capacityof an operator.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a codingsystem, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable to either highintellectual or cultural levels of an operator or to the intellectuallevel of the uneducated.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols in a coding system so that no reading skills are required tooperate the synthetic speech or typing device of the present invention.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acoding system utilizing polysemic symbols to preclude the need for goodspelling skills in utilization of the device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to produce a syntheticspeech device with auditory clarity based on a linguistic analysis ofthe sentence structure which is stored in the memory for retrieval

The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a systemfor producing plural word synthetic messages from a compilation ofpredetermined plural word messages stored in a memory in response to theactuation of selected keys on a keyboard, said actuation of said keysselectively retrieving desired messages from said memory, at least onetheme key means in said keyboard bearing a polysemic symbol (an icon)related to a theme of the message to be retrieved from said memory meansfor storing a plurality of said predetermined plural word messageshaving message themes related to the respective polysemic symbols(icons) used in said message and a plurality of modifying key means withcoded indicia thereon for selective actuation in combination with saidat least one theme key means to selectively retrieve one of said pluralword messages having a theme associated with the polysemic symbol (icon)on the actuated theme key means.

The memory is provided in a computer or microprocessor and storescomplete sentences or plural word messages rather than individual words,phonemes or letters. The microprocessor or computer is coupled to acommercially available voice synthesizer which converts the digitalsignals emerging therefrom into analog signals which drive a loudspeakerand generate audible synthetic speech. In the alternative to a voicesynthesizer a suitable printer may be utilized to directly convert theretrieved selected messages or sentences into printed messages on asuitable paper or substrate.

The system of the present invention allows an operator to go directlyfrom thought to speech. This is possible because each key on thekeyboard of the present invention bears a central image or symbol (anicon) which is polysemic and illustrates an important aspect of lifeand/or linguistic function. The keyboards may vary depending on theintellectual level of the intended operator. Therefore, each keyboardmay in itself be a language which has been designed for or with aspecific user Each of the polysemic symbols (icons) is rich inassociations and in combination signals sentence ideas in the operator'smemory. This enables the generation of plural word or whole sentencemessages by the actuation of as few as two keys or as many as sevenkeys. The devices of the present invention may generate hundreds ofsentences which may be easily retrieved from memory because of the easewith which the polysemic symbols on the keys portray the production ofwhole thoughts

It should be understood that the term "icon" used throughout thisspecification is intended to be given its ordinary directionarydefinition of a "pictorial representation or image" (quoting Webster'sThird New International Dictionary), and in the context of thedisclosure of this invention "icon" means --polysemic pictorialillustration of real like objects not including individual alphanumericcharacters or formal, contemporary oriental language characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantagesthereof will become more readily apparent by reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a synthetic speech device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a keyboardcoded and marked with polysemic symbols in accordance with the presentinvention, each circle representing an individual key on the keyboard;and

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a group of keys to be usedon another form of keyboard for use with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowcharts of the data processing programs utilized toprocess information in the microprocessor constituting a portion of theblock diagram illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated the synthetic voice generatingdevice of the present invention generally designated 10. The device 10consists of a keyboard 12 of a type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to bediscussed hereinafter with its output coupled to a microprocessor 16.One microprocessor suitable for use with the present invention is anAIM-65 marketed by Rockwell International. Associated withmicroprocessor 16 is a suitable electrical programmable read only memory(EPROM) 14. EPROM 14 stores complete sentences or plural word messageswithout regard to individual words, phonemes or letters. Coupled to theoutput of microprocessor 16 is a commercially available speechsynthesizer 18 such as one designated Voltrax Speech PAC with an SC-01voice synthesizer chip therein marketed by Vodex. The output of thevoice synthesizer 18 is in turn coupled to a loudspeaker 20 whichgenerates audible synthetic speech in a manner well known in the art.

Referring in detail to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one embodiment of akeyboard for practicing the present invention wherein each of thecircles represents an individual key of the keyboard. Each of the keysincludes a centrally disposed picture of a real life object orillustration (an icon) centrally disposed thereon. The majority of thekeys also have identifying sequential numbers such as 1 to 10, 20, 30and 50 in examples shown in FIG. 2; an alphabetical letter correspondingto the numbers; a portion of the human anatomy and a proper name.Accordingly, the keys may take on many different meanings depending onthe sequence and combination in which they are operated since theycontain not only the polysemic symbols (real life objects orexpressions) in the center of the keys but additional indicia relatingto other possible meanings of information associated with that key. Thekeyboard of FIG. 2 is designed to be used by someone with a relativelyhigh level of intellectual achievement and education. A more simplistickeyboard designed for users of a lower intellectual level will bedescribed hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring further to FIG. 2 the respective keys of the keyboard 1 to 10,20, 29, 30, 50, and 60 have symbols and indicia thereon in accordancewith the following chart which illustrates each key number and itsassociated letter, theme, portion of the human anatomy and proper name.

    ______________________________________                                        Key #  Letter  Theme       Anatomy  Proper Name                               ______________________________________                                        1      A       Eating or   Arm      Ann                                                      Food                                                           2      B       Bad or Danger                                                                             Bone     Bob                                       3      C       Cathedral or                                                                              Coccyx   Cathy                                                    Chain                                                          4      D       Dressing or Diaphragm                                                                              Dan                                                      Clothing                                                       5      E       Transport or                                                                              Ear      Everest                                                  Travel                                                         6      F       Ablutions,  Feet     Fred                                                     bathing or                                                                    water                                                          7      G       Philosophy  Gall-    God                                                      or ideas    bladder                                            8      H       Formalities,                                                                              Head     Hades                                                    departures,                                                                   greetings                                                      9      I       Personal opin-                                                                            Eye      I                                                        ions and dis-                                                                 closures                                                       10     J       Logic or    Jugular  Jesus                                                    modality                                                       20     K       Logic key and                                                                             Tongue   Tom                                                      tag questions                                                  29     None    Medical      --       --                                       30     O       Happiness or                                                                              Ovary     --                                                      positive ex-                                                                  pressions                                                      50     None    Type Mode    --       --                                       60     None    Electricity  --       --                                       ______________________________________                                    

By reference to this chart and to the illustration of FIG. 2 examples ofthe operation of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in conjunction with theprinciples of the present invention can be understood. For example, keyno. 1 bears the image of an apple, key no 2 a turkey, key no. 3 a chairand key no. 4 a dress. These keys also have the alphabetic sequence ofA, B, C and D, anatomy portions such as an arm, a bone, a coccyx and adiaphragm; and the proper names Ann, Bob, Cathy and Dan. The electroniccircuitry of the microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 is programmed so that theactuation of any one key twice designates that key as the primary themekey. All other keys struck thereafter are associated with ideas relatedto the theme key which has been struck twice. For example, when key 1 isstruck twice, the microprocessor 16 determines that it is desired toretrieve prerecorded sentences from EPROM 14 which are related to thetheme of eating. Accordingly, when a key such as key 2 is strucksubsequently to the double actuation of key 1 a prerecorded sentence"get that food out of my mouth" is retrieved from EPROM 14 and spoken bythe combination of the voice synthesizer 18 and loudspeaker 20. In asimilar fashion when key no. 3 is struck following double actuation ofkey no. 1, the sentence "There is something wrong with the position ofmy chair." is read out from EPROM 14 and spoken over loudspeaker 20. Asimilar combined use of key 4 with key 1 causes the voice synthesizersystem of the present invention to say "Look out, the food is getting onmy clothes."

The microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 may also be programmed to recognize asingle stroke of a key after the double actuation of the key designatinga central theme as a negative expression. This is convenient becausenegative sentences are often of an emergency nature and need to bespoken quickly. A positive context to each of the foregoing sentencescan be spoken by prefacing the actuation of the respective keys 2, 3, orwith the actuation of key 30 which pictures an ironically smiling sun.That is, the negative context of this sentence can be changed topositive by prefacing the actuation of the selected keys 2, 3, 4, etc.with key 30. Accordingly, after a double hit on the eating theme key inno. 1 a user may say "It's okay, I'm not choking." by striking key 30and then key 2. He may say "It's all right if a little food gets on myclothes." by hitting key 30 and then key 4. For a severely disabledperson to say these sentences on a text-to-speech or phonemic systemwould require dozens of key actuations plus the ability to read andspell very well. In contrast the keyboards designed for use in thesystem of the present invention require no more than four key actuationsfor the examples referred to above and do not require the ability toread or spell in view of the use of the polysemic symbols such as theapple, turkey, cathedral, coat, shirt and necktie.

Of course, many other variations and combinations of the keys from thekeyboard from FIG. 2 will result in the retrieval and output of otherprerecorded sentences from EPROM 14. For example, key no. 1 whichincludes the central symbol of an apple and connotes the theme of eatingcan mean oil when actuated following the double actuation of key 3 whichhas chair as one of its polysemic meanings.

Key no. 2 which contains the central symbol of a turkey can mean bad ordanger. When used in combination with the chair key no. 3 it can referto "bad brakes" and in combination with the clothing key 4 it can meanthat the user's belt is too tight or that his tie is choking him.

After key no. 5 (transport) it refers to the inability of the chair togo. After the medical key 29 it refers to bones, joint pains, etc. andcan refer when joined with key no. 3 to specific abilities of the chair,problems of transporting of the chair, etc.

Key no. 3 is the chair key for people in wheelchairs. Cathedral is theLatin word for chair so a cathedral fascade is used in preference to theless attractive standard wheelchair symbol. This also promotes thepolysemic aspects of this key in relation to other keys. For instance,when used with key no. 7 (E=MC²) which stands for philosophy orabstractions in general, it means the philosophy of religion. It canalso mean "face" as a verb as in "To face facts", etc. After medical key29 it refers to the coccyx and seating problems, pressure points, etc.

Key no. 4 includes the central symbol which connotes the theme dressingor clothing. In this particular illustration of key 4 there is depicteda male's clothing including a jacket, shirt and tie of various colors.Thus, as a theme key key no. 4 is associated with dressing and clothingand can be utilized to refer to specific colors if desired. Whenactuated after the medical key 29 the anatomy indicia of key no. 4 isutilized to retrieve a sentence related to the breathing functionassociated with the word "diaphragm".

Key no. 5 has the central symbol in the form of a curved arrow pointingin a direction towards a terminal point and refers to the general themeof "transport" or "travel." Thus, sentences would be recorded in theEPROM 14 related to trips, travel plans, visits and so forth and theactuation of key no. 5 as a theme key would selectively retrieve one ofthe sentences associated with travel depending which one of the otherkeys of the keyboard was actuated following the double actuation of keyno. 5. For example, the double actuation of key no. 5 followed by theactuation of the key no. 1 would refer to eating plans associated withtravel such as where one chooses to have dinner during their trip.

Key no. 6 has a central theme which deals with ablutions such astoileting, bathing, and things associated therewith. However, when usedas a modifying key following the double actuation of another key whichmakes that key a theme key, it may have different meanings. For example,when key no. 6 is actuated following the double actuation of theelectrical key 60, key no. 6 refers to water and could be used toretrieve a prerecorded sentence such as "There is no water in thebattery of my wheelchair". Also under certain circumstances, key no. 6including the central symbol of an outdoor privy could refer to privacy.

Key no. 7 includes the central symbol E=MC² and refers to the themephilosophy or ideas. When key no. 7 is double actuated to designate itas a theme key and is followed by the actuation of key no. 3 whichillustrates the fascade of a cathedral the prerecorded sentence which isselectively retrieved from the memory of the EPROM 14 of FIG. 1 may berelated to the philosophy of religion. In combination with the food keyno. 1 it could announce a sentence such as "I am a vegetarian"expressing a philosophy associated with eating.

Key no. 8 includes the central symbol which depicts a portion of a malewearing a formal tuxedo. Accordingly the theme of key no. 8 isformalities, departures, greetings and so forth. Used as a theme it mayselectively retrieve from memory prerecorded social statements such as"Pleased to meet you.", "It is my pleasure.", etc. When key no. 8 is notused as a theme but is used to modify or select specific sentencesassociated with theme keys it formalizes the annunciations and istherefore a key which connotes style or formality to a particular typeof sentence. If actuated with the medical theme key 29, key no. 8 refersto the head portion of the anatomy.

Key no. 9 has the central symbol which in Chinese is the symbol forcenter "JONG". This symbol refers to the self. Thus as a theme it mayrefer to personal opinions and disclosures. In a subordinate sequencefollowing the double actuation of another theme key it makes the userthe subject or object of the sentence. When subordinated to the medicalkey 29 it refers to the eye portion of the anatomy.

Key no. 10 includes the central symbol which is a likeness of BertrandRussell's profile This key is merely used as a logic key or modality keyto end a prior designated theme sequence For example, when key no. 10 isstruck once the next sentence which is generated will be from adifferent theme. If it is struck twice it opens or clears the system forthe initiation of other themes.

Key no. 20 is also a logic or modality key and may be utilized tointroduce tag questions such as a question ending in "Didn't he?","Aren't you?", "Won't they?", etc. In certain sequences it may mean tojoin or connect, as in the connection of a battery cable, etc.

Key no. 30 includes the central symbol of an ironically smiling sun andis utilized to change any negative context sentence into a positive oneas described hereinbefore. Of course, key no. 30 may also be utilized toretrieve a sentence having an association to the ovary, the letter "0"or the numeral 30.

Key no. 50 is utilized as a special mode key. If this key is pushedtwice it instructs the system to switch from a synthetic speech mode toa normal typewriter mode wherein each of the individual keys bearing theassociated letters or numerals may simply type out those individualletters or symbols on paper as in a conventional typewriter. Forexample, a double actuation of key 50 transforms the entire keyboardillustrated in FIG. 2 into a typewriter keyboard with no prearrangedsentences.

The above examples for the uses of the keys of FIG. 2 are illustrativeonly and it should be understood that many variations or modificationsof the above examples may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. It should be further understood that theassociations between the various keys and the polysemic symbols thereonare more readily understood by an individual who has custom designedthose symbols for a keyboard intended only for his own personal use. Inthat event this user would choose his own polysemic symbols and numberof keys which are related to objects in his own lifestyle which can bereadily understood and remembered. Therefore, when learning to use thesynthetic speech system of the present invention the degree ofmemorization of the keyboard and the associated prerecorded sentenceswill be minimal to this user.

The keyboard of FIG. 2 as stated hereinbefore is designed for use by anindividual with a relatively high level of intellectual achievement andeducation. Accordingly, the polysemic symbols or real life objects andexpressions chosen are somewhat complex but because of their complexityperhaps more generic than simpler symbols requiring no high level ofeducational exposure. However, it is clearly desirable to be able toadapt the present invention to users with a lower level of education byutilizing more simplistic symbols. Such a keyboard is illustrated by thegroup of keys depicted in FIG. 3. Key no. 1 in FIG. 3 has a centraltheme of mathematics or numbers depicted by Pythagorean's theorem a² +b²=c² As in the FIG. 2 keyboard each of these keys also includes indiciaassociated with a portion of the human anatomy, a proper name, a letterand a number. Key no. 2 in the keyboard of FIG. 3 is a simpleillustration of a bathtub and a shower associated therewith connotingthe central theme of water or bathing. Key no. 20 has a central symbolof a chair or a throne which could be associated with a handicap'swheelchair. Key no. 4 has a central symbol of a telephone which in asimple translation can connote telephoning, calling, etc. Key no. 6depicts a dog fetching an object and therefore can connote the theme ofputting, placing, etc.

Each of the keys in FIG. 3 contain both an icon and an alpha charactercorresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the icon onthat key as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        LETTER      WORD        ICON                                                  ______________________________________                                        A           Arithmetic  A.sup.2 + B.sup.2 = C.sup.2                           B           Bath        Bathtub                                               C           Call        Telephone                                             F           Fetch       Dog fetching Newspaper                                T           Throne      Throne-like chair                                     ______________________________________                                    

Examples of operation of the keyboard of FIG. 3 are as follows: a doubleactuation of key no. 20 with the central symbol of a chair followed bythe actuation of key no. 4 with the central symbol of a telephone may beutilized to selectively retrieve a prerecorded sentence such as "CallPotomac Valley Pharmacy about my wheelchair." The double actuation ofkey no. 20 followed by the actuation key no. 4 can selectively retrievethe sentence "Their number is in the phonebook" from the memory of thecomputer. The double actuation of key no. 20 followed by the sequentialactuation of key 6, key 2, and key 60 can selectively retrieve theprerecorded sentence "Put water in the battery" from the memory of thecomputer. Again, the double actuation of the key 20 followed by theactuation of key 2 alone can selectively retrieve the sentence "Pleaseclean my wheelchair."

Thus, it can be seen from the illustrative keyboards of FIGS. 2 and 3that the use of the central polysemic symbols enables the selectiveretrieval of a wide variety of prerecorded sentences from a computermemory with a minimal amount of memorization and number of key strokeson the part of the user. Therefore, the keyboard's design in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention provide a c]ear advance inthe art over information retrieval systems which utilize keyboards withnumbers, letters or individual words thereon to retrieve words, lettersor phonemes stored in their individual form in a computer memory.

It can also be seen that the keyboard designs for use in the presentinvention are for the most part multilingual and therefore can beutilized as language translators.

FIG. 4 is the general flowchart of a program for implementingclassification and logic functions for information coming from thekeyboards of FIGS. 2 or 3 into the memory of the microprocessor 16. Thatis, the flowchart of the program in FIG. 4 illustrates how the computer16 classifies keys actuated twice at the beginning of a sequence asprimary message theme keys and all successively actuated keys asmodifying keys.

It should be understood that the system and method described herein maybe modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve andgenerate a selected plural word message relating to particularinformation from among a large number of plural word messages relatingto varied kinds of information stored in a system for producingmessages, comprising:a plurality of input devices each bearing differentpolysemic pictorial illustrations of real like objects, said polysemicpictorial illustrations not including alphanumeric characters or formal,contemporary oriental language characters, each illustration beingsuggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types ofinformation, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha charactercorresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the pictorialillustration on that input device; memory means for storing message datarepresentative of a plurality of sequences of said polysemic pictorialillustrations, each sequence of illustrations being a semantic summaryof a different plural word message; means for retrieving said selectedmessage from the memory means in response to actuation of a selectedsequence of a plurality of said input devices, the number of polysemicpictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being much less thanthe number of alpha characters which constitute the plural word messagewhen spelled by formal alpha language characters; and means foroutputting said selected message.
 2. A system of claim 1 wherein saidplural word message is a complete sentence.
 3. A system of claim 1wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
 4. A system of claim1, comprising means for audibly outputting said selected message.
 5. Asystem as in claim 1, comprising means for outputting said selectedmessage in a visually perceptible medium.
 6. A system as in claim 1,comprising means for printing said selected message.
 7. A system as inclaim 1 wherein each said input device also bears a numeralcorresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha character.8. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selectedplural word message from a large number of plural word messages relatingto varied kinds of information stored in a system for producingmessages, the system comprising memory means and a plurality of inputdevices actuatable in any sequence, the method comprising:associatingwith each representative input device different polysemic pictorialillustrations of real like objects, said polysemic pictorialillustrations not including alphanumeric characters or formal,contemporary, oriental language characters, each illustration beingsuggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types ofinformation, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha charactercorresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the pictorialillustration on that input device; defining a plurality of sequences ofsaid polysemic pictorial illustrations, each sequence of illustrationsbeing suggestive to an operator of the system of a semantic summary of adifferent plural word message; selecting a sequence of a plurality ofsaid polysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to n operatorof said semantic summary of said selected message, the number ofpolysemic pictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being muchless that n the number of alpha characters which constitute the pluralword message when spelled by formal alpha language characters;sequentially actuating a plurality of said input devices havingrespectively and sequentially associated therewith said plurality ofpolysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator ofsaid semantic summary of said selected message, thereby inputting aplurality of signals to the system indicative of which input deviceshave been actuated and in what sequence; retrieving said selectedmessage corresponding to said plurality of signals from the memory meansof the system; and outputting said selected plural word message.
 9. Amethod of claim 8 wherein said plural word message is a completesentence.
 10. A method of claim 8 wherein said input devices are keys ona keyboard.
 11. A method as in claim 8, comprising audibly outputtingsaid selected message.
 12. A method as in claim 8, comprising outputtingsaid selected message in a visually perceptible medium.
 13. A method asin claim 8, comprising printing said selected message.
 14. A method asin claim 8 wherein each said input device also bears a numeralcorresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha character.15. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate aselected plural word message relating to particular information fromamong a large number of plural word messages relating to varied kinds ofinformation stored in a system for producing messages, comprising:aplurality of input devices each bearing different polysemic pictorialillustrations of real like objects, each illustration being suggestiveto an operator of the system of a plurality of types of information,each of said input devices also bearing an alpha character correspondingto the first letter of a word that describes the pictorial illustrationon that input device; memory means for storing message datarepresentative of a plurality of sequences of said polysemic pictorialillustrations, each sequence of illustrations being a semantic summaryof a different plural word message; means for retrieving said selectedmessage form the memory means in response to actuation of a selectedsequence of a plurality of input devices, the number of polysemicpictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being much less thanthe number of alpha characters which constitute the plural word messagewhen spelled by formal alpha language characters; and means foroutputting said selected message.
 16. A system of claim 15 wherein saidplural word message is a complete sentence.
 17. A system of claim 15wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
 18. A system as inclaim 15, comprising means for audibly outputting said selected message.19. A system as in claim 15, comprising means for outputting saidselected message in a visually perceptible medium.
 20. A system as inclaim 15, comprising means for printing said selected message.
 21. Asystem as in claim 15 wherein each said input device also bears anumeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alphacharacter.
 22. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve andgenerate a selected plural word message from a large number of pluralword messages relating to varied kinds of information stored in a systemfor producing messages, the system comprising memory means and aplurality of input devices actuatable in any sequence, the methodcomprising:associating with each representative input device differentpolysemic pictorial illustrations of real like objects, eachillustration being suggestive to an operator of the system of aplurality of types of information, each of said input devices alsobearing an alpha character corresponding to the first letter of a wordthat describes the pictorial illustration on that input device; defininga plurality of sequences of said polysemic pictorial illustrations, eachsequence of polysemic pictorial illustrations being suggestive to anoperator of the system of a semantic summary of a different plural wordmessage; selecting a sequence of a plurality of said polysemic pictorialillustrations which is suggestive to n operator of said semantic summaryof said selected message, the number of polysemic pictorialillustrations in the selected sequence being much less that the numberof alpha characters which constitute the plural word message whenspelled by formal alpha language characters; actuating a plurality ofsaid input devices having respectively and sequentially associatedtherewith said plurality respectively and sequentially associatedtherewith said plurality of polysemic pictorial illustrations which issuggestive to an operator of said semantic summary of said selectedmessage, thereby inputting a plurality of signals to the systemindicative of which input devices have been actuated; retrieving saidselected message corresponding to said plurality of signals form thememory means of the system; and outputting said selected plural wordmessage.
 23. A method of claim 22 wherein said plural word message is acomplete sentence.
 24. A method of claim 22 wherein said input devicesare keys on a keyboard.
 25. A method as in claim 22, comprising audiblyoutputting said selected message.
 26. A method as in claim 22,comprising outputting said selected message in a visually perceptiblemedium.
 27. A method as in claim 22, comprising printing said selectedmessage.
 28. A method as in claim 22 wherein each said input device alsobears a numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of saidalpha character.
 29. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve andgenerate a selected plural word message relating to particularinformation from among a large number of plural word messages relatingto varied kinds of information stored in a system for producingmessages, comprising:a plurality of input devices each bearing differenticons, each icon being suggestive to an operator of the system of aplurality of types of information, each of said input devices alsobearing an alpha character corresponds to the first letter of a wordthat describes the icon on that input device; memory means for storingmessage data representative of a plurality of sequences of said icons,each sequence of icons being a semantic summary of a different pluralword message; means for retrieving said selected message form the memorymeans in response to actuation of a selected sequence of a plurality ofinput devices, the number of icons of the selected sequence being muchless than the number of alpha characters which constitute the pluralword message when spelled by the alpha characters; and means foroutputting said selected message.
 30. A system of claim 29 wherein saidplural word message is a complete sentence.
 31. A system of claim 29wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
 32. A system as inclaim 29, comprising means for audibly outputting said selected message.33. A system as in claim 29, comprising means for outputting saidselected message in a visually perceptible medium.
 34. A system as inclaim 29, comprising means for printing said selected message.
 35. Asystem as in claim 29 wherein each said input device also bears anumeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alphacharacter.
 36. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve andgenerate a selected plural word message from a large number of pluralword messages relating to varied kinds of information stored in a systemfor producing messages, the system comprising memory means and aplurality of input devices actuatable in any sequence, the methodcomprising:associating with each respective input device differenticons, each icon being suggestive to an operator of the system of aplurality of types of information, each of said input devices alsobearing an alpha character corresponding to the first letter of a wordthat describes the icon on that input device; defining a plurality ofsequences of said icons, each sequence of icons being suggestive to anoperator of the system of a semantic summary of a different plural wordmessage; selecting a sequence of a plurality of said icons which issuggestive to an operator of said semantic summary of said selectedmessage, the number of icons of the selected sequence being much lessthat the number of alpha characters which constitute the plural wordmessage when spelled by formal alpha language characters; actuating aplurality of said input devices having respectively and sequentiallyassociated therewith said plurality of icons which is suggestive to anoperator of said semantic summary of said selected message, therebyinputting a plurality of signals to the system indicative of which inputdevices have been actuated; retrieving said selected messagecorresponding to said plurality of signals form the memory means of thesystem; and outputting said selected plural word message.
 37. A methodof claim 36 wherein said plural word message is a complete sentence. 38.A method of claim 36 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.39. A method of claim 36, comprising audibly outputting said selectedmessage.
 40. A method as in claim 36, comprising outputting saidselected message in a visually perceptible medium.
 41. A method as inclaim 36, comprising printing said selected message.
 42. A method as inclaim 36, wherein each said input device also bears a numeralcorresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha character.